The Silindokuhle crèche is a Joe Slovo West Community Project spearheaded by the Port Elizabeth based NGO Love Story. When the crèche Patricia Piyani was running from her shack started overflowing with kids and the structure became unsafe, the architect studio Collectif Saga, in partnership with Indalo and Love Story decided to step in and design and build a brand new structure.

The project, which was led by Kenyan born architecht Kevin Kimwelle, placed emphasis on the involvement of locals to assist in the design and building of the crèche. Part of Indalo’s aim was to transfer skills and ultimately register a woodwork SMME that will sustain the community.

The building was created using recycled materials which included 1500 wine bottles, 260 wooden pallets, multiple skate boards and 15 plastic corrugated sheets and was built for the price of an RDP house.

I just love the innovation, the community involvement and the sheer beauty of the place.

Here’s a video to tell you a bit more about the project. (Please excuse my shiny face!)

You can vote and also read more about the project HERE – please note that you can vote up to 10 times!

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A few years ago I featured Leanda Trautman’s beautiful Happiness bags and after taking some time off and having two bambinos, Alex and Marla, she’s back with an incredible line of handcrafted leather bags.

Her bags are made using only the finest soft, thick, nut toffee coloured leather. The leather also features an anti- scratch oil protection layer, which makes caring for your bag simple.

“I have two beautiful daughters: Alex and Marla. They are the love of my life.

It is the unconditional love between us that occupies my thoughts and makes me happy.

Years ago I decided to see what working with leather was like. Immediately, I realized that this was something I’ll always want to do. I love it, it is my passion, the kind of passion that makes my working hours fly.

When I am working I feel I am creating something special, something unique… something from me.

I live to be inspired. And I transform that inspiration into designing and making leather bags. Being able to share them, makes me happy.”

Bun and Bunee is a new local skate brand that has launched a cool line of skate decks, T-shirts, caps and components. And as the proud official sponsor of One Love Central, they’re also doing a whole lot of good.

One Love Collective is a Collaborative Effort that aims to uplift the community through facilitating alternative recreational activities for the inner-city youth to have diversity in their choices, beyond the usual soccer / netball or basketball.

One Love Central has a new Skate Academy at the Drill Hall which is situated in Johannesburg’s inner-city. Bun and Bunee donated 10 full skateboard completes and accessories to their cause. Shortly after the donation a workshop took place, and kids from different backgrounds got together to be taught the basics of skateboarding, as well as the skateboard assembly process.

The skateboards are now available for the kids to use during the day, but they stay at the academy for the programme. Therefore, they can be used by many kids on an ongoing basis.

If you’re in Jo’burg you’re in luck cause Bun and Bunee will be at the next Linden Market on the 7th of May where they’ll be selling their goods and giving skate lessons to kids, so bring your skateboard along.

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I just love this new range of Hertex blankets. Their baby blanket range feature whimsical illustrations of penguins, flamingos, owls and drifting balloons are paired with a muted colour palette of silvery greys and dusty pastels. Made from gentle microfibre, the blankets are long lasting and easy to wash, guaranteeing warmth, comfort and more time to spend with your little one.

They also have a trendy new collection of microfibre blankets in bold geometrics prints, stripes and block patterns in elegant monochromatic colour palettes of lemon, grey sky, duck egg and eclair.

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I’m absolutely smitten with Koba Nieuwoudt‘s illustrations. Koba studied graphic design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and she’s doing her Honours in Illustration at Stellenbosch University.

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Stevo Dirnberger is an award-winning South African creative professional, photographer, designer and traveller who has recently spent five weeks looking after Huskies in the Arctic circle.

Stevo and his travel companion Chanel Cartell are currently on a creative hiatus after ditching their day jobs to travel the globe.

“After nearly 15 combined years of work in the advertising and branding industries, our lives were pretty set. They were filled with family, friends, amazing jobs, shiny cars and a beautiful home. Sounds pretty great, hey? Well we thought so too…until we felt the routine of perfection creeping up on us and ageing us with its complacency. We were no longer feeling challenged, and thinking back to the last time my life hit a little wall, the ‘Yes Man’ theory had risen its shiny head again, except this time, there was two of us saying “yes” to the world, and all it has to offer. We’re looking at a journey that allows us to live outside of the shuddering comfort zone, and gives us the opportunity to say “yes” to a whole bunch of crazy cool experiences whilst fuelling our creative needs.”

How beautiful are these eco-conscious portable bluetooth speakers by local brand Shibby Beats. This local speaker company was started in Port Elizabeth by husband and wife duo Michelle and Grant Tomlinson.

“The Shibby Unwind is the kind of speaker that will make you want to call up a group of friends and get everyone down to the beach for a bit of a party. It boasts clear, quality sound and naturally enhanced bass, perfect for getting a vibe going with a group of mates.”

If you’re in Cape Town next week be sure to check out the incredible Guild Design Fair from 25 Feb to 1 March.

More than just a fair for beautiful objects, GUILD represents the coming together of dedicated, focused curators, designers and institutions who are striving to preserve and provoke exceptional, groundbreaking design. GUILD will introduce highly respected design authorities and work from Africa, USA, the Middle East, Britain and Europe, and present these unique viewpoints to a fresh audience.

I’ve featured the lovely range of Milkshed furniture here before – remember, the wonderful NGO with a simple story: they take reclaimed wood and transform it into works of art and then they use all the profits for social change.

Go check out the rest of their new range and support this fantastic NGO.

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Last night we went to the opening of the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair at Hyde Park Corner. As always we had a beautiful evening under the stars at the boutique outdoor market with more than 100 talented winemakers, designers and food artisans treating guests to the best of South African produce. The fair is on until Sunday so make sure to go check it out.

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“Lighthouses are a symbol of exploration and embody the spirit of adventure. We decided to research and illustrate these landmarks which dot our coastline across Southern Africa. We created a poster with custom lettering and a vintage nautical feel, depicting lighthouses from South Africa, Mozambique, Angola and Namibia.”

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Play PlayPattern is a delicious new modular range that was launched at this year’s Design Indaba. The range is the result of a collaboration between architect Deánne Viljoen fromDe SteylFurniture Design and Manufacture and pattern designer Renee Rossouw ofRR Studio Pattern Lab.

Play Play 2014is a modular storage concept made from Birch Plywood finished in natural oil. The chests of different sizes has drawer boxes that are removable, interchangeable and reversible and is perfect for almost any use from lounge, bedroom, studio and office storage to kids furniture.

All units are available in a plywood base or with castors.

They deliver this range all over South Africa and you can request a pricelist with sizes from info@desteyl.co.za

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I’ve been meaning to feature these Jo’burg based milliners for a while. It’s a story of tradition and craftsmanship. My kind of story.

“The milliner title has been passed down from generation to generation. Hats are in our blood, it is more than a clothing item, but rather a way of life.

Simon and Mary is a heritage brand established in 1935. The hat roots were first planted in South Africa when Mordechai Pozniak (Simon’s father) brought his cap factory from Poland to Johannesburg.

Simon Pozniak eventually took the leading role in the company and grew it into one of Africa’s most renowned wool felt hat manufacturing plants. Simon’s wife Leah (whom he lovingly coined Mary after reading a novel) joined the business working alongside Simon and attending to all non-manufacturing needs. In 1973, Simon’s youngest son, Julian, eagerly entered the family business with Robert his oldest son joining in 1988. Today a fourth generation Pozniak, Dean, who entered the business in 2008, heads the brand & factory with the aim of continuing the legacy created by Simon.

Simon and Mary is based on a family bond within the hat factory. Using machinery bought in the 60’s and continuing the legacy created by the original milliner, Simon Pozniak.“